Today in News History

On July 12, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 70, The armies of Titus attack the walls of Jerusalem after a six-month siege. Three days later they breach the walls, which enables the army to destroy the Second Temple. In 965, Meng Chang, emperor of Later Shu (born 919) passed away. In 1862, The Medal of Honor is authorized by the United States Congress. In 1918, The Imperial Japanese Navy battleship Kawachi blows up at Shunan, western Honshu, Japan, killing at least 621. In 1943, World War II: Battle of Kursk: German and Soviet forces engage in the Battle of Prokhorovka, one of the largest armored engagements of all time. In 1979, The island nation of Kiribati becomes independent from the United Kingdom. In 1995, Chinese seismologists successfully predict the 1995 Myanmar-China earthquake, reducing the number of casualties to 11. In 2001, Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-104, carrying the Quest Joint Airlock to the International Space Station. In 2012, A tank truck explosion kills more than 100 people in Okobie, Nigeria. In 2015, Cheng Siwei, Chinese engineer, economist, and politician (born 1935) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.